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Cline Cellars: A 350-Acre DelightBy Martha Blanchfield Cline Cellars is a picturesque estate offering expansive and elegant settings for outdoor and indoor wedding celebrations. Located in the Carneros region of Sonoma Valley and separated from Napa Valley by the Mayacamas Mountains to the east, this region offers a cooler and more pronounced maritime climate where grapes mature slowly and gracefully. The Carneros district is one of California's most coveted tracts of vineyard real estate, extending across the cool southern extremes of both Sonoma and Napa counties and butting up to the flatlands just north of San Pablo Bay (the northernmost section of the San Francisco Bay region). In 1991 the Cline family relocated it winery operations from Oakley (central California) to Carneros, selecting a historic 350-acre estate with new vineyards and facilities. Once the site of a Miwok Indian village and later the first camp of Father Altimira in his quest to establish the Sonoma Mission, the property offers sweeping views of the Carneros Valley and plenty of personality. The land is touched with six spring-fed ponds, lush green lawns, rustling willow trees, ever-changing gardens, fragrant blossoms from 5,000 rose bushes, plus an exotic bird enclave and historic museum. Wedding celebrations can be grand or intimate at Cline Cellars, and the winery is easy to find just off of highway 121, south of Petaluma and Schellville. Here are a few of the estate's most popular wedding settings. Beneath the Wide Open SkyThe Great Lawn, surrounded by thousands of colorful rose bushes and gently swaying willow branches, hosts many events every year. Cline Cellars offers one of the largest outdoor venues for events in the Sonoma Valley – the Great Lawn can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. Of course smaller events can be easily hosted on the Great Lawn, tucked into a private corner with the addition of canopies, tenting or beneath the open sky.Adjacent to the Great Lawn is a vintage rail car and patio deck that overlooks one of six ponds. This shady area offers a welcome respite in the hot summer months. Many brides use the rail car as a dressing room or private relaxation area for guests. The restored railcar and deck area can seat 80 guests or accommodate 175 standing. Very casual celebrations can also take advantage of the picnic area and nearby reflection pond that stand next to the 1850s farmhouse, which today hosts the winery's tasting room. Unusual Indoor/Outdoor CombinationsFor the couple looking to host their event both outdoors and indoors, the Adobe Mission is just one option at Cline Cellars. Of historic origin, this actual adobe mission structure was created in 1823 by Father Altimira and named San Francisco Solano. The last of the California missions, it was later rebuilt and christened on its present site in Sonoma. A private and intimate setting unto itself, the Adobe Mission is surrounded by small ponds and Carneros-climate landscaping. It's flanked with a broad flagstone reception area and Eucalyptus trees overhead. Capacity is 125 on the flagstone patio. The adobe mission can separately seat up to 30.As authentic as you can get – a wedding celebration in the Cline Cellars Barrel Room offers a unique experience. Depending upon the guest count, configuration in the Barrel Room can accommodate up to 550 seated, or 700 standing; smaller events are welcome. Revel side by side with barrels of aging blends stacked to the ceiling. Reception, meal service and dancing/ entertainment can be housed in the Barrel Room. Cline Cellars can accommodate elopement and wedding parties of 20 to 1,000 guests and works with preferred catering vendor Wine Valley Catering. Other points of interest at Cline Cellars include the California Mission Museum and the Cline Aviary Project. Cline Cellars For more information visit: www.marthablanchfield.com |
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